After we installed the led strips, we found that some led strips started to flicker, which puzzled us. In fact, there are many reasons the led strips flicker. Some common causes include Poor Connection Wire, Incompatible Components, Voltage Drop, long-term work of the led strip, or power supply overload. So, led strip flickering is one of the most common problems we will encounter. By reading this article, you’ll learn why led strips flicker, the types of flickers, and how to fix led strips flicker.
Table of Contents
Why are my LED strips flicker?
Below is a summary of some of the reasons why led strips flicker.
Inappropriate or Overloaded Power Supply
Improper LED drivers are one of the most common causes of led strip flicker, and LED strips require a specific power source to work. If the power supply is wrong, the LED driver will keep turning on and off, and then the LED strip will keep turning on and off, so we look like it’s flickering. More details, pls read How to Choose a Power Supply for LED Strip?
Poor Connection Wire
When we connect the LED light strip to the power supply, or when connecting the dimmer, the connecting wires are inconsistent. So bad or inconsistent wire connections will also alternate and break the circuit, causing the led strips flicker.
Incompatible Parts
This usually happens when LED strips are dimmed. First, you have to make sure that both your LED strips and drivers are dimmable. Then you need to make sure the dimmer and power supply protocols are compatible.
Damaged LED Strips
Sometimes, the led strips flicker, and most of the time it is a problem with the led strip itself because it is easily damaged, especially during installation, once the led strip is damaged, the circuit will be disconnected, and the led strips will flicker.
Voltage Drop
Voltage fluctuations will also affect the led strips flicker. The led strip needs a constant voltage power supply to work normally. If the led strip you connect is too long, the voltage will drop, which will also cause the led strip to dim and flicker, and its brightness will also decrease. More information about the voltage drop, pls click What is LED Strip Voltage Drop?
Continue Running
Another major cause of LED strips flicker is constant use. Sometimes, you leave the light on for hours on end. It may reduce the voltage the strip receives, causing flickering and dimming.
Poor Board Design
It is also possible that the circuit board is causing the flickering. Improper quality and design of the circuit board can cause a short circuit, which can damage a section of the circuit and cause the led strips flicker.
Pad is not Firm
It may be that the pads between the components, LEDs, resistors, IC, and the circuit board are unstable, and the soldering between the PCB and the PCB is not firm, which will lead to poor contact between the components. Eventually, part of the led strip may flicker.
Humid Environment
There may be a humid environment that causes the led strip to flicker. Some customers install the led strip in a relatively humid environment, and the inside of the LEDs will absorb moisture; At first, it will flicker, and then the LEDs will burn.
How To Stop LED Strip Lights from Flickering?
High-Quality LED Strips
Choosing a high-quality light strip is a direct way to avoid flickering LED strips. Avoid the led strips themselves as much as possible. As we all know, high-quality led strips are equipped with better circuit boards, and various connections are more stable. These quality problems will cause the led strips to flicker.
Check Connection
We need to check all connections, wires, connectors, and power supplies to make sure they are connected properly. Because a bad connection creates too much resistance, it will heat up badly and of course, cause the led strip to flicker.
Choose Compatible Accessories
Secondly, you need to choose compatible components, such as dimmers and power supplies. For example, if you are a constant voltage 24V led strip, you must choose a constant voltage 24V power supply. For how to choose a power supply, pls read
The Right Power Supply
First of all, we need to choose a branded power supply, such as MEANWELL power supply. We need to choose a waterproof or non-waterproof according to the installation place, and use a high-power power supply, so that the led strip will not flicker due to insufficient power supply.
Take a Break
We need to avoid turning on the lights for a long time. So we give them a break every few hours. That way the voltage on your led strip won’t drop, and your lights will run efficiently, pls give them a break.
Reduce Wire Length
In fact, there are many ways to control the pressure drop. Specifically, the most efficient way to do this is to reduce the length of the wires used, while ensuring that the power supply connection is somewhere in the middle of the led strip. Read on for other ways to reduce pressure drop.
Summary
How to stop led strips flicker? How to avoid the effects of led strip flicker? Pls always keep these points in mind:
- Choose a high-quality LED strip light.
- Make sure the power supply, dimmer, and controller you use are compatible with your LED strip.
- Check whether the wiring is firm.
- Consider branded high-power power supplies to match your LED strips.
- For dimming systems, consider 0/10V or digital voltage dimming systems.